Bill aims to overhaul Fla. alimony law

February 16, 2012

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A House panel has given the green light to a bill that would overhaul what critics say is the state's antiquated alimony law.

Rep. Ritch Workman's bill (HB 549) Thursday cleared the House Judiciary Committee by a 17-1 vote. The Melbourne Republican said the measure would ensure alimony is fair to both ex-spouses.

It would end "permanent" lifetime alimony in favor of "long-term" support that has a foreseeable end. A man with the Florida Alimony Reform group told the committee he was still paying alimony to his wife decades after their divorce because she refuses to work.

But a representative of the Florida Bar's family law section said the bill had flaws and asked Workman to continue working with him on a rewrite. A similar bill is in the Senate.